Portis misses practice, but expects to play despite sprained knee

Published: Nov 19, 2008 at 11:22 AM

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who surprised himself by playing last week on a sprained knee, sat out practice Wednesday but expects to be ready for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

"Sore. It's better than it was last week," Portis said. "I'm playing this week, if that's what you all want to know. No ifs, ands, buts about it, I'll be playing."

Portis rushed for 68 yards on 15 carries in the 14-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys despite not practicing at all last week.

"Friday, I didn't think it was possible for me to play," Portis said. "Saturday it was like, 'Maybe I'll be OK.' Sunday, it was like 'I'm playing."'

Portis, the league's second-leading rusher with 1,063 yards, said he wasn't at full strength.

"I didn't have leg drive, and I couldn't high-knee and pull up out of stuff," Portis said. "But I think as far as running the ball, I did OK. But when you talk about breaking tackles and the burst of speed, I didn't have it, so that's what I'm working on this week."

Receiver Antwaan Randle El (ankle), guard Pete Kendall (knee), left tackle Chris Samuels (knee) and linebacker Marcus Washington (ankle) did not practice. All but Washington are expected to play Sunday.

Cornerback Shawn Springs, who has missed four straight games with a calf injury, returned to practice.

The Redskins also signed linebacker Steve Octavien to the practice squad. He takes the place of linebacker Curtis Gatewood, who was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs active roster.

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